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7 Steps to Preparing for an
Open House
1. Hire a cleaning service. A spotlessly clean home is essential;
dirt will turn off a prospect faster than anything.
2. Mow your lawn, and be sure toys and yard equipment are put away.
3. Serve cookies, coffee, and soft drinks. It creates a welcoming
touch. But be sure the kitchen has been cleaned up; use disposable
cups so the sink doesn't fill up.
4. Lock up your valuables, jewelry, and money. Although the real
estate salesperson will be on site during the open house, it's
impossible to watch everyone all the time.
5. Turn on all the lights. Even in the daytime, incandescent lights
add sparkle.
6. Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that's not
possible, crate them or confine them to one room (a basement or
bath), and let the salesperson know where to find them.
7. Leave. It's awkward for prospective buyers to look in your
closets and express their opinions of your home with you there.
Reprinted from
REALTOR® Magazine (http://www.realtor.org/realtormag)
with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved."
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